CRICKET: Wiltshire through to MCCA Knockout Cup Final (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wiltshire see off Staffordshire in MCCA semi final

12:58pm Saturday 21st July 2012 in Sport

WILTSHIRE continued their outstanding one-day form when they beat Staffordshire by two runs on Sunday in the semi final of the MCCA Trophy Knock Out Cup.

The game at Leek had a pulsating climax with the winnng runs coming from the penultimate ball.

It will be Wiltshire's third appearance in the final of this Minor Counties competition, having lost on their previous attempts to Norfolk and Staffordshire.

Wiltshire now play Cumberland in the final at Wormsley on August 29.

Wiltshire were given a superb start as the opening pair of Ed Kilbee and Jayden Levitt put on 158 for the first wicket. Levitt was first out for 76 and Kilbee went on to complete his second century in the trophy scoring 126. Wiltshire finished on 280-6.

Staffordshire needed a good start but were reduced to 71-5 in the 23rd over by Tahir Afridi 4 -53 and Owen Alsop 3-45.

When Ben McGuire joined his captain, Paul Goodwin these two turned the match on it's head as they put on 160 of which McGuire scored 100 in only 52 balls.

When he was out, Staffs were in charge but a wicket maiden from Ben Gardner in the 48th over and the dismissal of Goodwin for 66 off the last ball of the 49th meant Staffs needed six to win from Mukesh Bhatt's over. He took the wicket with the 5th ball leaving Staffs 278 all out.